The Regrator, Pantalone, had just opened the first page of the light novel and saw a story related to the Raiden sisters.
He was very confused.
When had Tartaglia started liking these kinds of stories?
But because of Tartaglia's insistence, Pantalone continued reading a few more stories, though with great confusion.
When he saw Qiqi's story, Pantalone couldn't help but be moved.
This little girl was truly pitiful!
When he saw Barbatos's story, Pantalone couldn't help but feel shocked. Were these stories true or false?
So this was how the Anemo Archon was born?
When he saw the story of the black dragon Durin, Pantalone frowned, because many parts matched what he already knew.
The only thing was that the reincarnation aspect was hard to believe.
Pantalone continued reading.
He saw Shenhe's story, Kazuha's friend's story, Orobashi's story, and the story of the Liyue yakshas.
He even saw La Signora's story.
When he saw La Signora's story, Pantalone froze.
What was going on?
La Signora's lover from five hundred years ago had also appeared in these stories?
Could La Signora really have betrayed the Tsaritsa and the entire Fatui just because she heard a fabricated story?
Pantalone couldn't quite believe it.
But according to the information from Tartaglia, it was highly likely that La Signora had defected because of this story.
Holding this strange light novel, Pantalone grew uneasy.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally decided that he must go see the Tsaritsa.
He would deliver this strange light novel to Her Majesty.
And let her make the final decision.
...
While the Regrator was heading to see the Tsaritsa with the light novel, in the distant nation of Sumeru, the Lesser Lord Kusanali, who was trapped in the Sanctuary of Surasthana by the sages, was lying bored on a desk made from a tree stump, fiddling with some small trinkets.
She really wanted to leave the Sanctuary and see the outside world.
But every time she tried, the sages would stop her with all kinds of excuses.
It made Nahida very frustrated.
Just as she stood by the window, gazing out at the green world beyond, a servant suddenly entered.
"Lesser Lord, the trainee Forest Ranger Collei found a tattered light novel while patrolling the forest."
"She specifically wanted to present it to you."
The servant walked up to Nahida and placed a light novel on the table.
Nahida turned around in confusion. "Trainee Forest Ranger Collei? Is that little Collei who came back from Mondstadt? Where is she? Take me to see her!"
Hearing little Collei's name, Nahida was very happy.
But the servant said seriously, "The sages have already said that if you wish to leave the Sanctuary of Surasthana, you must obtain their permission."
Hearing the words "the sages," the smile vanished from Nahida's face.
"Always the sages."
"Those old men definitely won't let me out."
Knowing she couldn't leave the Sanctuary, Nahida lay bored on the table and opened the tattered light novel that little Collei had given her, hoping to pass the time.
When she opened it, she immediately noticed that although the outside was worn, the inside was brand new.
There was also a note from little Collei tucked inside.
[Lesser Lord, to get this light novel to you, Collei had to disguise it as a tattered old one.]
[In reality, this is a new novel sent by little Amber.]
[The stories in it are really interesting. I hope you enjoy them.]
After reading the note, Nahida quickly hid it so no one else would find it.
Then she sat in her chair and began to read the light novel.
When she saw the story of the Raiden sisters, her eyes lit up.
It was indeed different from other light novels!
When she read Qiqi's story, she instinctively reached out a small hand to wipe the tears from her eyes.
It was so moving!
When she read Barbatos's story, she felt as if she were there herself. Her situation was just like the boy in the story—trapped behind "high walls."
Unable to see the world outside.
Shenhe's story made her cry as well.
And Bennett's story made her yearn even more for the outside world, for freedom.
After finishing the light novel, Nahida's eyes were filled with longing.
"How interesting."
"According to the description in the book, the Raiden Shogun, the Anemo Archon, and the Geo Archon are all at that inn."
"I really wish I could sit in that inn and listen to the stories, just like those three gods."
But wishing was one thing.
The reality was that she couldn't even leave the Sanctuary of Surasthana.
If only there were someone who could help her deal with the sages.
How wonderful that would be.
But Nahida knew that under the sages' control, no one in Sumeru could help her.
Unless there was a traveler from outside.
Nahida said to the servant at the door.
"I want to see the sages."
"Tell them to come see me."
...
While the Lesser Lord Kusanali was trying to find a way to leave the Sanctuary of Surasthana and come to Wangshu Inn to listen to the stories, at Wangshu Inn, after waiting for a moment, the system notification finally appeared in Li Mo's mind.
[Ding! System analysis complete. The story of the fourteenth life, "Kapatcir the Thunderbird," has been fully told. New effect triggered—Fusion! You will now merge with your fourteenth incarnation's body.]
[And gain the power of the fourteenth life.]
[Merge now?]
The body of the fourteenth life, Kapatcir the Thunderbird, was a massive thunder beast of Inazuma.
Its power rivaled that of a god.
Even compared to Orobashi, there wasn't much difference.
So from a power perspective, fusing with Kapatcir's body would once again increase Li Mo's strength, allowing him to control even more Electro energy.
He could present even clearer story images above the inn for all the Liyue audience to see.
This would help Li Mo complete his storytelling mission more effectively.
For Li Mo, this was very important—even more important than increasing his own power.
So without hesitation, Li Mo agreed to the fusion.
"Merge with the fourteenth incarnation, Kapatcir the Thunderbird, now!"
The moment he spoke, the system's voice sounded in his mind again.
[Ding! System notification: Fusion with the fourteenth incarnation, Kapatcir the Thunderbird, has begun.]